BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Fueled by a first-half goal from sophomore Reziq Banihani (Irbid, Jordan), the UMass Lowell men's soccer team (0-0-1) opened the 2021 season with a 1-1, double-overtime draw at St. Francis Brooklyn on Thursday.
 
"Good to get a result on the road against a tough St. Francis team, but a bit disappointing we didn't get the victory after creating some good chances," said Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "We have to do better to finish our chances and take some pressure off of ourselves."
 
Banihani's goal was the second of his career. Sophomore Victor Viana (South Dennis, Mass.) added the assist in his River Hawk debut. Senior goalkeeper Christian Miesch (Ried-Brig, Switzerland), also appearing in his first game for UMass Lowell, totaled two saves.
 
The River Hawks outshot the Terriers, 5-3, in the first half, including the first three shots of the afternoon. After back-to-back chances by the home squad, Viana played a ball out wide to Banihani, who beat his defender on the dribble and slid a shot inside the far post to give his team a 1-0 edge in the 21^st minute.
 
Banihani then threatened to extend the lead just over a minute later, but keeper David Santiago dropped to the ground to make the save.
 
The visitors took the one-goal buffer in the break and staved off the equalizer for over 25 minutes in the second half until a header by Ivan Tapuskovic knotted the score at 1-1 in the 72^nd minute. UMass Lowell had a chance to end it in regulation, as junior Sancho Maroto Tobias (Alcobendas, Madrid) drove a ball off the crossbar in the 85^th.
 
Overtime proved to be a defensive stalemate with neither side able to register a shot in the first extra period and the River Hawks fending off three St. Francis chances in the final 10 minutes.
 
Up next, the River Hawks will welcome Siena to Cushing Field on Monday, August 30 for their home opener at 2 p.m.